Online resource tracks highway projects
The Ontario government has released an online resource that provides information on highway investments and projects that are planned and underway.
The 2021 Ontario Highways Program provides information on highway expansion and rehabilitation projects that are planned or underway in communities across the province through different formats, including an interactive map, PDF lists and sortable tables.
From April 2021 to March 2022, the province is committing $2.6 billion to repair and expand provincial highways and bridges. This includes construction funding of $1.6 billion in southern Ontario and $641 million in northern Ontario. The investments are estimated to create or sustain approximately 15,800 direct and indirect jobs. The province further estimates that every $100 million invested in Ontario’s highway infrastructure will create $70 million of real provincial GDP in addition to direct and indirect economic benefits to highway users in 2021.
“This valuable information allows people to see highway projects that are being built or planned in their communities and across the province,” said Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation. “It also helps the construction industry by providing a multi-year outlook of planned projects to help them better prepare for the future.”
The Ontario Highways Program includes data on over 580 expansion and rehabilitation projects that have committed construction funding and are either underway or currently planned. All expansion projects with construction funding are identified, while rehabilitation projects are focused on the 2021 to 2024 period.
“Our government understands the importance of reliable, accessible transportation for the movement of essential goods and services in our northern communities,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry. “A strong transportation system makes a strong economy. Today’s announcement is great news for the people and businesses who live in the North.”
The 2021 program is currently published on the Ontario Highways Program website.
Beginning this year, the published program will include more detailed project information, such as the engineering status, value range, and where known, delivery model. The program will also be updated twice per year.
The province is investing more than $21 billion over the next 10 years to expand and repair highways and bridges.